The National tribune., 1887-09-29

ana extend 10 them every encouragement IN
our power. The Corps has greatly increased
in usefulness and nu,1hers from year 10 year,
under the able administration OF those TO
whom its interests have been entrusted. There
has been an increase Of J0I Corps and 1878
members during the past year.
They expended during the same period for
charity 10 individuals aud Posts, Sj6 l06.lS,
aud had on hand at the close of the fiscal year
a relief fund Of S36,9G072.
That is a splendid record.
SONS or VETERANS.
The Grand Army Of the Republic does not
fail in the exercise Of deep and tender inter
est in the society of the Sons of Veterans.
The members of that organization are natur-
ally and legitimately our successors. They are
Of our own blood and on your behalf profier
them cordial greeting and best wishes. | am
glad 10 note that the Order is increasing in
membership and efficiency.
STAFF OFFICERS.
The duties devolving on the Adiutant- Gen
eral increase from year TO year. They are now
more than sufficient to occupy the whole time
OF that officer. Comrade Gray has conducted
the affairs Of his office most admirably. His
methods are businosslike and he has devoted
himself with untiring zeal 10 the welfare of the
Order
The important and responsible duties of the
discharged in the most efficient manner by
COmrade Taylor.
The Judge Advocate General, Comrade Tain
tor, has had occasion 10 consider and report
upon many important questions To all SUBJ
jects submitted 10 him he has given the most
careful and consideratc attention.
His opinions are, | think, models in their
way, and l believe will meet with your entire
approval, as they have with mine.
The labors of the Inspector General are
especially severe by reason of the great diff
Guilty in obtaining reports from the Depart
ments. Comrade Hurer has been indefatiga-
bic in his efforts 10 so discharge his duties rs
10 reflect credit upon the Order and himself
/ call especial attention TO his recOmmenda-
tions. all of which are worthy of your serious
consideration.
give all these comrades my cordial thanks
FOR the untiring zeal they have manifested in
the performance of their arduous duties
DECISIONS.
The following decisions have been made,
based upon the opinions of the Judge Advocate
General.
No. !. The responsibility of granting or refusing
a Post charter rests solely with the Department
Commander, and his decision is an exercise OF dis
erection which viii not be reversed, except for mani
fest abuse of has power.
No. 2. 4 conrade suspended from membership
by sentence of court-martil is not liable for dues
during the peflOu OF suspension.
No. 3. The remission of a sentence of dishonor-
able discharge restores The comrade TO member
ship in the Order
No. 4. Service in the rebel army excludes from
membership in the Grand Army of the Republic.
No. 5. The applicant enlisted and was sworn in.
but before the muster of his regiment detailed
with Others and sent on an expedition. Ina an en-
gagement he was taken prisoner. having been
severely wounded as 10 permanently unfit him for
military service. He was held prisoner for
some time aud never Teioined his regiment, but
was afterwards formally mustered into and out of
ihe United States service and granted pension.
Held, that he was eligible.
No. G. I. When the legal effect of the action Of
the National Encampment il one of the questions
ia issue between Department Commander and
Post, the right of appeal exists and the Commander
should forward the papers.
2. The Department Commander may not suspend
Post without the advice and consent OF the Coun-
Gil OF Administration.
No. :. /. The fact that an honorable discharge
was enormously granted at the same evening ON
which the application was filed. does not render
invalid second one granted AT "A subsequent meet
lag, and mere request not 10 sign such second
discharge, made To the Commander the street,
viii not alone operate as "A withdrawal Of the APP
plication.
2. The omission of the initial of the middle name
Of the Commander in the signature OF the discharge
does not render IL invalid.
No. s. At an election OF officers new candidates
may be voted for al any stage of the ballot and the
fact that the candidate receiving the majority OF
votes not nominated until after two ballots had
been taken does not render his election void.
No. 9. A Past Post Commander whose Post was
disbanded and who did no, join another Post till
several years aier s not entitled 10 any honors by
virtue of his service in the former Post
No. 10. The Senior Past Post Commander in n
Post Is the one who having never lost hs honors.
earliest held the Office of Post Commander whether
in his present or another Post
+ No. IL. A comrade who had been carried for three
years as a member OF Post was dropped from the
rolls on the ground that his admission illegal
from his having been NJ the time "A dropped MEM
Der OF another Post. He thereupon claimed TO re-
cover from the Post the dues he had paid during
the three lie had been treated as IA me ahar
Held, that he could not recover.
No. II Where " appeared by the report of the
Judge Adyocae-tieDcral that lac had advised a
certain course but IL did not appear on record what
action the CommRnder-in- thief had taken thereon;
II was held That the failure of the National En-
campment TO approve the opinion of the Judge
Acknowledgement was only negative ia its force
and that without some positive affirmative action
In regard 10 the decision of the Commander-in-
Chief, his decision was not reversed.
No. IL. Musier-in Of "A candidate cannot be dis
pensed with. and applicant who died after being
elected, bat before muster, did not become a mem
ber of the Order.
No u. The use Of the GAR. badge by n CON-
rade on hs business sign is not prohibited by the
Rules and Regulations.
No IS. 4 Post was organized Dec I6, and at
same meeting elected officers and representative:
there was no other meeting ia Decenber.
Held that such meeting was the first regular
meeting OF the Post as the term Is used in Art. IX
Chap. III; and that the representative elected
should be given his seat
No. l6. The membership badge is personal prom
orty and "A comrade taking an honorable discharge
cannot be compelled 10 surrender il 10 the Post
Nc. H. One who served la the rebel army is not
eligible 10 membership in the Grand Army OF the
Republic.
No. Is A Department Commander has no au-
thoriiy 10 issue order conyening "A court for the
trial OF "A member Of the National Encampment
and all proceedings under such order are illegal
| and void.
/ No. - A charter was granted on an application
| signed 10y 10 persons and the Post was Organized
with eight OF the 10 present One of the 10 was an
active member of an existing Post, aud 50 rctnain-
ed alter the organization of the new Post. Two of
the eight had been members of other Posts and
had never taken discharges transfers therefrom
Held, J. That the application was insufliciently
signed, and that the issue Of the charter aud at
tempted organization Of the Post without au-
tboriiy.
.. That the Post could not be recognized
& That the charter never had any legal force and
should bc recalled.
No. 20. Service in the organization known as lst
Regiment No. Citizen Guards is not sufficient TO
| render an applicant eligible 10 mem bershiD.
No. 81. The fact Of sentence 10 State Prison fol-
lowed by pardon, does not render an applicant in
eligible 10 membership; aud a Post may admit
| him IL they consider him suitable
No. %. The Commander-in-Chief has no power
10 iii vacancies in National Council OF Adminisra-
| ton.
| No. % A dropped member who Is reinstated i
| not compelled TO pay the dues that had accumu-
lated up 10 the time of being dropped. The rein
| statement fee Is all the payment required
| No "A. I. A Post may drop it, old and assume a
! new name on the same vote.
| 2 Meeting ON Sunday il not illegal unless for
hidden by law Of the State where Post Is located
| No. % disbanded Post is not required to turn
over To the Department cash hand or real estate
| purchased with Post funds
| No 26 part of the members Of an investigating
committee TO which an application for member rship
had been referred AT a previous meeting, were not
/ present TO sign the report The Post adouted a
1 and La.